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Oakland Raiders castoff Tommy Kelly enjoying new lease on life in New England

By Matthew Carroll

Associated Press

Posted:
05/31/2013 05:45:37 PM PDT

Updated:
05/31/2013 10:51:53 PM PDT

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tommy Kelly feels like a rookie again.

After spending his first nine seasons with the Raiders -- starting every game the past five years and six of the last seven -- and even earning a captain's badge in the process, Kelly now is embarking on a new chapter in his career with the Patriots.

Yet despite signing a two-year deal in April to help bolster New England's front four, the 6-foot-6, 325-pound defensive tackle isn't exactly ready to buy a house in the area anytime soon.

"That's how I feel right now coming in, undrafted free agent. Ain't nothing guaranteed to you," Kelly said Wednesday during the second week of organized team activities. "You're the bottom of the totem pole. You can easily be replaced.

"NFL stands for 'Not For Long.' If you ain't handling your business, they'll get rid of you real quick."

In nearly a decade playing in Oakland, Kelly never took part in a postseason game.

Even worse, he never experienced a winning season. The 32-year-old undrafted free agent now is suiting up for a team that lost in the Super Bowl two seasons ago and was within one victory of returning to the big game last season. So, it's hard not to ponder the possibilities of greener pastures.

All of that is secondary to him, though. For now, Kelly just wants to stick around for the regular season.

"Bill, he don't guarantee nobody nothing," he said of New England coach Bill Belichick. "So, I've got to get on the team before I start thinking about that.

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"You see how many people they get rid of around here? Make the team first and then think about all that."

The Patriots certainly liked the thought of adding a dependable, veteran pass rusher to line up alongside perennial Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork when they signed Kelly, released by the Raiders in a cost-cutting measure.

And he couldn't be more pleased to have landed in New England.

"Sometimes, change is good," Kelly said. "I was ready for the change. I'm very happy."

Lining up next to Wilfork played a pivotal part in signing with the Patriots.

"When you're dealing with a coach with the resume of him, and if somebody like that believes in you, it makes you feel good about yourself," he said. "But at the same time, this is a program where you've got to prove yourself. If you don't prove yourself, he'll get rid of you."